THE ENCAMPMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2617, 20 April 1889, Page 2

THE ENCAMPMENT.

The preparations for the encampment ;{ the Auckland Volunteer force at the rids range, Hamilton East, were pretty well advanced on Thursday, Capt. Reid and a party of his men working unremittingly from an early hour. The town soon had evidence of the pomp and circumstance of glorious war, when the ordinary Auckland train arrived with tin) fatigue party, composed of detachments from each corps, under Capt. Kohii. They mustered 1:30 men, and inarched through the town in loose order to the camp, where they were afterwards engaged erecting the tents. Carts were busy all day and night conveying stores and material, and Capt., Robertson, the Quarter-Master had not a rosy time in the commissariat. We may here observe that the country air had evidently whetted the appetites of the advance party, as they managed to consume a, day's rations before the main body arrived. Mr K. L. Smith, who lias the canteen, began what tie considered, a satisfactory beginning in his business. The special train with the main body was tiinoi to leave Auckland at 8 o'clock in the evening, and was expected to reach Hamilton at twenty minutes past one o'clock in the morning. A large number of residents assembled at the station to witness the arrival of the troops, but had to submit to a trial of patience for nearly thivo hums before the heavy train drawn by one of the large Fairlie engines arrived. It was past .'S a.m. when tliu train reached l'Vatilclon J unction and half-an-hour was spent there in disembark iog the cavalrv horses. It was half-past three before the troops were landed at Hamilton, and the men were just fit for a march of three miles in the coid early morning air after their tedious journey. 'J'ho t;oops formed into marching oritur, headed by the Hamilton Light infantry lliiid and Nos. 1 and 2 (Jarrisnn Bauds and proceeded to camp, where tlicy settled down by five o'clock. It was found that there was not sufficient lent accommodation for nil the men, and this gave rise to some discontent. The Hamilton Light Infantry were allowed to sleep at home, and the comfort of the men were as well looked after as possible. There have been some slight faults in the tamp arrangements, but these are principally in connection with matters of detail that must always be expected in ali'airs carried out hurriedly and In inexperienced hands. As regards the mess we can state from personal enquiry that the troops on the whole are well satisfied with the quality and quantity provided. The men of the Hamilton Light Infantry mounted guard on Thursday night, the duty being entrusted to L'eut. Kirk. On I'Vida.; morning Hamilton was pretty full of tile military element, the uniforms of the sarioiis branches of the service enlivening the appearance of the streets. Tlie "A" Battery marched to the railway station, headed by their splraid d Land under Bandmaster Hunter, whence they took their Held pieces to the eunp. The men of the various companies were kept at camp duty during the morning, mounting and relieving guard, [it the afternoon a large number of people were present to witness the. general parade before Colonel Shepherd, the officer commanding. There was Mime delay in this, astho Staff was occupied for some time in hearing chares against two of the Ponsonby Navals for misconduct, and who had been kept under arrest in the guard-room. The troops were assembled at four o'clock and wenput through battalion drill by Capt. IC-lm. after which they were drawn up in column and addressed by the Colonel who said he wished to impress upon the moo to give their best attention to their duties and not give him any ciuse to find fault with their conduct, He said they had always backed him up in his actions, and hoped they would give him the benefit of their support by causing no grounds for dissatisfaction. The strength of the camp is officially stated to be (17!) all told. As we discovered discredit was thrown upon the correctness of this estimate by s one who, in Auckland, were unfriendly to die encampment, we accompanied a brother pressman from that city and personally tallied the strength of each company, the total of which we found to to o'lo'. The discrepancy is accounted for by the non-appearance of the Onehuuga itifles, who either missed the train, or the train missed them. The following are the jouip-iniss in camp with their commanding officers : —

Wiiiiiku Cavalry, Cipt. IJ.irnbal and 27 men. Te Awamutu Cavalry, CJ.ipb. B.uoe and S nil l''i-:iii'vliii Mounted liifiuitry, Major 11 ii-.- iii.l 2!) men. '' A liotery Artillery, Capt. Geddes, .")0 111 HI and loll! - gUUH. 'Mi " BiUeiy, Capt. .lames and 'S~> men. !•', igimsers, M.'ij ii' Anderson and 3S men. Auckland Nival Artillery, Capt. l',irl;ur illl!l Tl III! 11. I'mi.s iiiljy Navals, Gapt. .Miller and o(i Wait.omala and Onehuuga NavaL, Capt. Hiic'iius, O.ii t. Hilseand.M men. Victoria, Rifles, Lieut. Sinners and 22 Oily Guards, Capt. Kolin and ,'U men. Newton Rifle.;. Gap', Robertson and 23 men.

Royal Irish, Gapt. Leahy and 27 men. Wairoa Rifles, Oupt. Crawford and 27 men. Hamilton Light fufantry, Capt. Iteid and 45 men. Onelmnga Rifle*, 3 men. No officers. Harrison Hands 1 and 2, Bandmaster Hunter and 41 men. Hamilton Light Infantry Band, Bandmaster Mottiiin and 14 men'. Staff, 5 ; medical stall', o. Tiie A.ntiiilaiice Corps is in charge of Drs. Dawson and Walker. Major Pine is A. D.0., and Sergt.-Major Campbell orderly clerk. The order of the day for to-day will include parade at 10 n'clojk, with outpost duties and usual drill. At J. 30 p.m., sports will be held on Sydney Square by the Infantry and Cavalry, which will no doubt attract a large number of spectators. On Sunday detachments will be (old off f nr Church parade at the different Churches. The review on Monday has not yet been definitely planned out, but it is understood that it will not comprise a general sham light. The idea is, we believe, to select a suitable position to be occupied by the infantry, upon which the cavalry will make an attack and attempt to dash through. Tveutenant Barribal, with a party of the Waiuku Cavalry, was scouting yesterday afternoon, to take in the look of the coun-

try . Ihe encampment is without doubt a succss, the weather has been splendid, and the men speak very well of the arrangements and the position. They evidently appear to enjoy themselves when on liberty, and do not seem to have any grievance with the turn out. We have also received many decided expressions of feelings from both officers and men of strong disapproval of tho attempt made in Auckland to weaken the discipline of the force. In the programme of entertainments to be given whilst the troops are in camp, is the lecture by Col. Forbes on " Gawnpore," a subject that always, when well handled as Col. Forbes can handle it, stirs the heart of every Englishman, especially every English soldier. There will be splendid views shown descriptive of many thrilling scenes in connection with the subject. An opportunity is here afforded ns of saying a word of praise of the South Franklin Mounted Infantry. Major Harris was determined to join the camp, even if ho came alone. When he put his name down twenty odd of his men followed his example, and we must say they are a very fine, well-set-up lot of men, and a credit to the encampment. The Coiinis Club will give their admirable drama, " Helping Hands " in tho Oddfellow's Hall to-night. There are few amateur performers to excel them, and our visitors should muster in largo numbers to see how much histrionic power of the first water can be found in the country.